Recombinant α-L-iduronidase, methods for producing and purifying the same and methods for treating diseases caused by deficiencies thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a recombinant α-L-iduronidase and biologically active fragments and mutants thereof, methods to produce and purify this enzyme as well as methods to treat certain genetic disorders including-α-L-iduronidase deficiency and mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS 1).

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/439,923, filed Nov. 12, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,426,208, issued Jul. 30, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of molecular biology, enzymology, biochemistry and clinical medicine. In particular, the present invention provides a recombinant α-L-iduronidase, methods to produce and purify this enzyme as well as methods to treat certain genetic disorders including α-L-iduronidase deficiency and mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Carbohydrates play a number of important roles in the functioning of living organisms. In addition to their metabolic roles, carbohydrates are structural components of the human body covalently attached to numerous other entities such as proteins and lipids (called glycoconjugates). For example, human connective tissues and cell membranes comprise proteins, carbohydrates and a proteoglycan matrix. The carbohydrate portion of this proteoglycan matrix provides important properties to the body's structure.

A genetic deficiency of the carbohydrate-cleaving, lysosomal enzyme α-L-iduronidase causes a lysosomal storage disorder known as mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I) (Neufeld, E. F., and Muenzer, J. (1989). The mucopolysaccharidoses in “The Metabolic Basis of Inherited Disease” (Scriver, C. R., Beaudet, A. L., Sly, W. S., and Valle, D., Eds.), pp. 1565–1587, McGraw-Hill, New York). In a severe form, MPS I is commonly known as Hurler syndrome and is associated with multiple problems such as mental retardation, clouding of the cornea, coarsened facial features, cardiac disease, respiratory disease, liver and spleen enlargement, hernias, and joint stiffness. Patients suffering, from Hurler syndrome usually die before age 10. In an intermediate form known as Hurler-Scheie syndrome, mental function is generally not severely affected, but physical problems may lead to death by the teens or twenties. Scheie syndrome is the mildest form of MPS I. It is compatible with a normal life span, but joint stiffness, corneal clouding and heart valve disease cause significant problems.

The frequency of MPS I is estimated to be 1:100,000 according to a British Columbia survey of all newborns (Lowry et al., Human Genetics 85:389–390 (1990)) and 1:70,000 according to an Irish study (Nelson, Human Genetics 101:355–358 (1990)). There appears to be no ethnic predilection for this disease. It is likely that worldwide the disease is underdiagnosed either because the patient dies of a complication before the diagnosis is made or because the milder forms of the syndrome may be mistaken for arthritis or missed entirely. Effective newborn screening for MPS I would likely find some previously undetected patients.

Except for bone marrow transplantation, there are no significant therapies available for MPS I. Bone marrow transplants can be effective in treating some of the symptoms of the disorder but have high morbidity and mortality in MPS I and often are not available to patients because of a lack of suitable donors. An alternative therapy available to all affected patients would provide an important breakthrough in treating and managing this disease.

Enzyme replacement therapy has long been considered a potential therapy for MPS I following the discovery that α-L-iduronidase can correct the enzymatic defect in Hurler cells in culture. In this corrective process, the enzyme containing a mannose-6-phosphate residue is taken up into cells through receptor-mediated endocytosis and transported to the lysosomes where it clears the stored substrates, heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate. Application of this therapy to humans has previously not been possible due to inadequate sources of α-L-iduronidase in tissues. The enzyme replacement concept was first effectively applied to Gaucher patients in a modified placental glucocerebrosidase. The delivery and effective uptake of glucocerebrosidase in Gaucher patients demonstrated that an enzyme could be taken up in vivo in sufficient quantities to provide effective therapy.

For α-L-iduronidase enzyme therapy in MPS I, a recombinant source of enzyme has been needed in order to obtain therapeutically sufficient supplies of the enzyme. The mammalian enzyme was cloned in 1990 (Stoltzfus et al., J. Biol. Chem. 267:6570–6575 (1992), and the human enzyme was cloned in 1991 (Moskowitz et al., FASEB J 6:A77 (1992)).

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 represents the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of cDNA encoding α-L-iduronidase (SEQ ID Nos: 1 and 2). Nucleotides 1 through 6200 are provided. Amino acids are provided starting with the first methionine in the open reading frame.

FIG. 2 represents the results from an SDS-PAGE run of eluate obtained according to the procedure set forth in Example 1. Lane 1 is blank. Lane 2 contained high molecular weight standards. Lane 3 is a blank. Lane 4 contained bovine serum albumin in a concentration of 50 μg. Lanes 5 through 10 represent eluate containing recombinantly produced human α-L-iduronidase in amounts of 1 μg, 2 μg, 5 μg, 5 μg, 5 μg and 5 μg, respectively.

FIG. 3 reveals the urinary GAG levels in 16 MPS I patients in relation to normal excretion values. There is a wide range of urine GAG values in untreated MPS I patients. A greater than 50% reduction in excretion of undegraded GAGs following therapy with recombinant α-L-iduronidase is a valid means to measure an individual's response to therapy.

FIG. 4 demonstrates leukocyte iduronidase activity before and after enzyme therapy in MPS I patients.

FIG. 5 demonstrates the buccal iduronidase activity before and after enzyme therapy.

FIG. 6 demonstrates in three patients that a substantial shrinkage of liver and spleen together with significant clinical improvement in joint and soft tissue storage was associated with a greater than 65% reduction in undegraded GAG after only 8 weeks of treatment with recombinant enzyme.

FIG. 7 demonstrates that there is substantial normalization of livers (FIG. 7A) and spleens (FIG. 7B) in patients treated with recombinant enzyme after only 12 weeks of therapy.

FIG. 8 demonstrates a precipitous drop in urinary GAG excretion over 22 weeks of therapy with recombinant enzyme in 6 patients.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention features a method to produce α-L-iduronidase in amounts which enable using the enzyme therapeutically. In a broad embodiment, the method comprises the step of transfecting a cDNA encoding for all or a part of an α-L-iduronidase into a cell suitable for the expression thereof. In some embodiments, a cDNA encoding for a complete α-L-iduronidase is used, preferably a human α-L-iduronidase. However, in other embodiments, a cDNA encoding for a biologically active fragment or mutant thereof may be used. Specifically, one or more amino acid substitutions may be made while preserving or enhancing the biological activity of the enzyme. In other preferred embodiments, an expression vector is used to transfer the cDNA into a suitable cell or cell line for expression thereof. In one particularly preferred embodiment, the cDNA is transfected into a Chinese hamster ovary cell to create cell line 2.131. In yet other preferred embodiments, the production procedure features one or more of the following characteristics which have demonstrated particularly high production levels: (a) the pH of the cell growth culture may be lowered to about 6.5 to 7.0, preferably to about 6.7–6.8 during the production process, (b) about ⅔ to ¾ of the medium may be changed approximately every 12 hours, (c) oxygen saturation may be optimized at about 80% using intermittent pure oxygen sparging, (d) microcarriers with about 10% serum initially may be used to produce cell mass followed by a rapid washout shift to protein-free medium for production, (e) a protein-free or low protein medium such as a JRH Biosciences PF—CHO product may be optimized to include supplemental amounts of one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of glutamate, aspartate, glycine, ribonucleosides and deoxyribonucleosides, (f) a perfusion wand such as a Bellco perfusion wand may be used in a frequent batch-feed process rather than a standard intended perfusion process, and (g) a mild sodium butyrate induction process may be used to induce increased α-L-iduronidase expression.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a transfected cell line which features the ability to produce α-L-iduronidase in amounts which enable using the enzyme therapeutically. In preferred embodiments, the present invention features a recombinant Chinese hamster ovary cell line such as the 2.131 cell line that stably and reliably produces amounts of α-L-iduronidase which enable using the enzyme therapeutically. In some preferred embodiments, the cell line may contain at least about 10 copies of a an expression construct. In even more preferred embodiments, the cell line expresses recombinant α-L-iduronidase in amounts of at least about 20–40 micrograms per 10⁷ cells per day.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides novel vectors suitable to produce α-L-iduronidase in amounts which enable using the enzyme therapeutically. In preferred embodiments, the present invention features an expression vector comprising a cytomegalovirus promoter/enhancer element, a 5′ intron consisting of a murine Ca intron, a cDNA encoding all or a fragment or mutant of an α-L-iduronidase, and a 3′ bovine growth hormone polyadenylation site. Also, preferably the cDNA encoding all or a fragment or mutant of an α-L-iduronidase is about 2.2 kb in length. This expression vector may be transfected at, for example, a 50 to 1 ratio with any appropriate common selection vector such as, for example, pSV2NEO, to enhance multiple copy insertions. Alternatively, gene amplification may be used to induce multiple copy insertions.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides novel α-L-iduronidase produced in accordance with the methods of the present invention and thereby present in amounts which enable using the enzyme therapeutically. The specific activity of the α-L-iduronidase according to the present invention is in excess of 200,000 units per milligram protein. Preferably, it is in excess of about 240,000 units per milligram protein. The molecular weight of the α-L-iduronidase of the present invention is about 82,000 daltons, about 70,000 daltons being amino acid and about 12,000 daltons being carbohydrates.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention features a novel method to purify α-L-iduronidase. According to a first embodiment, a cell mass may be grown in about 10% serum containing medium followed by a switch to a modified protein-free production medium without any significant adaptation to produce a high specific activity starting material for purification. Preferably, a concentration/diafiltration scheme is employed that allows for the removal of exogenous materials that may be required for recombinant production of the same such as, for example, Pluronics F-68, a commonly used surfactant for protecting cells from sparging damage. Such exogenous materials should normally be separated from the crude bulk to prevent fouling of the columns. In another preferred embodiment, a first column load is acidified to minimize the competitive inhibition effect of uronic acids found in protein-free medium formulations. In other preferred embodiments, a heparin, phenyl and sizing column purification scheme is used to produce pure enzyme using automatable steps and validatable media. In other preferred embodiments, the heparin and phenyl column steps are used to eliminate less desirable α-L-iduronidase that is nicked or degraded. In yet other preferred embodiments, a three step column chromatography may be used to purify the enzyme. Such a three step column chromatography may include using a blue sepharose FF, a Cu++ chelating sepharose chromatography and a phenyl sepharose HP chromatography. In another preferred embodiment, an acid pH treatment step is used to inactivate potential viruses without harming the enzyme.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention features novel methods of treating diseases caused all or in part by a deficiency in α-L-iduronidase. In one embodiment, this method features administering a recombinant α-L-iduronidase or a biologically active fragment or mutant thereof alone or in combination with a pharmaceutically suitable carrier. In other embodiments, this method features transferring a nucleic acid encoding all or a part of an α-L-iduronidase into one or more host cells in vivo. Preferred embodiments include optimizing the dosage to the needs of the organism to be treated, preferably mammals or humans, to effectively ameliorate the disease symptoms. In preferred embodiments, the disease is mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I), Hurler syndrome, Hurler-Scheie syndrome or Scheie syndrome.

In a seventh aspect, the present invention features novel pharmaceutical compositions comprising α-L-iduronidase useful for treating a disease caused all or in part by a deficiency in α-L-iduronidase. Such compositions may be suitable for administration in a number of ways such as parenteral, topical, intranasal, inhalation or oral administration. Within the scope of this aspect are embodiments featuring nucleic acid sequences encoding all or a part of an α-L-iduronidase which may be administered in vivo into cells affected with an α-L-iduronidase deficiency.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention features a method to produce α-L-iduronidase in amounts which enable using the enzyme therapeutically. In general, the method features transforming a suitable cell line with the cDNA encoding for all of α-L-iduronidase or a biologically active fragment or mutant thereof. Those of skill in the art may prepare expression constructs other than those expressly described herein for optimal production of α-L-iduronidase in suitable cell lines transfected therewith. Moreover, skilled artisans may easily design fragments of cDNA encoding biologically active fragments and mutants of the naturally occurring α-L-iduronidase which possess the same or similar biological activity to the naturally occurring fill-length enzyme.

To create a recombinant source for α-L-iduronidase, a large series of expression vectors may be constructed and tested for expression of a α-L-iduronidase cDNA. Based on transient transfection experiments as well as stable transfections, an expression construct may be identified that provides particularly high level expression. In one embodiment of the present invention, a Chinese hamster cell line 2.131 developed by transfection of the α-L-iduronidase expression construct and selection for a high expression clone provides particularly high level expression. Such a Chinese hamster cell line according to this embodiment of the present invention may secrete about 5,000 to 7,000 fold more α-L-iduronidase than normal. The α-L-iduronidase produced thereby may be properly processed, taken up into cells with high affinity and is corrective for α-L-iduronidase deficient cells such as those from patients suffering from Hurler's Syndrome.

The method for producing α-L-iduronidase in amounts that enable using the enzyme therapeutically features a production process specifically designed to produce the enzyme in high quantities. According to preferred embodiments of such a process, microcarriers are used as a low cost scalable surface on which to grow adherent cells. In especially preferred embodiments, such microcarriers are microporous.

According to other preferred embodiments of the method for producing α-L-iduronidase according to the present invention, a culture system is optimized. In a first embodiment, the culture pH is lowered to about 6.5 to 7.0, preferably to about 6.7–6.8 during the production process. One advantage of such a pH is to enhance accumulation of lysosomal enzymes that are more stable at acidic pH. In a second embodiment, about ⅔ to ¾ of the medium is changed approximately every 12 hours. One advantage of this procedure is to enhance the secretion rate of recombinant α-L-iduronidase and capture more active enzyme. In a third embodiment, oxygen saturation is optimized at about 80% using intermittent pure oxygen sparging rather than continuous sparging. In a fourth embodiment, cytodex 2 microcarriers with about 10% serum initially are used to produce a cell mass followed by a rapid washout shift to a protein-free medium for production. In a fifth embodiment, a growth medium such as a JRH Biosciences PF—CHO product may be optimized to include supplemental amounts of one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of glutamate, aspartate, glycine, ribonucleosides and deoxyribonucleosides. In a sixth embodiment, a perfusion wand such as a Bellco perfusion wand may be used in a frequent batch-feed process rather than a standard intended perfusion process. In a seventh embodiment, a mild sodium butyrate induction process may be used to induce increased α-L-iduronidase expression without a substantial effect on the carbohydrate processing and cellular uptake of the enzyme. Such an induction process may provide about a two-fold increase in production without significantly altering post-translational processing.

Particularly preferred embodiments of the method for producing α-L-iduronidase according to the present invention feature one, more than one or all of the optimizations described herein. The production method of the present invention may therefore provide a production culture process having the following features:

1. A microcarrier based culture using Cytodex 2 beads or an equivalent thereof is preferably used in large scale culture flasks with overhead wand stirring using a Bellco perfusion wand or an equivalent thereof. Attachment to these beads may be achieved by culture in a 10% fetal bovine serum in DME/F12 1:1 medium modified with ingredients including ribonucleosides, deoxyribonucleosides, pyruvate, non-essential amino acids, and HEPES and at a pH of about 6.7–6.9. After about 3 days in this medium, a washout procedure is begun in which protein-free medium replaces approximately ⅔ of the medium approximately every 12 hours for a total of about 3–4 washes. Subsequently and throughout the entire remaining culture period, the cells are cultivated in protein-free medium.

2. The culture conditions are preferably maintained at a dissolved oxygen of 80% of air saturation at a pH of about 6.7 and at a temperature of about 37° C. This may be achieved using a control tower, service unit and appropriate probes such as those produced by Wheaton. However, skilled artisans will readily appreciate that this can easily be achieved by equivalent control systems produced by other manufacturers. An air saturation of about 80% results in improved α-L-iduronidase secretion over 40% and 60% air saturation. However 90% air saturation does not provide significantly enhanced secretion over 80% air saturation. The dissolved oxygen may be supplied by intermittent pure oxygen sparging using a 5 micron stainless steel sparger or equivalent thereof. A pH of about 6.7 is optimal for the accumulation of the α-L-iduronidase enzyme. The enzyme is particularly unstable at pH's above about 7.0. Below a pH of about 6.7, the secretion rate may decrease, particularly below a pH of about 6.5. The culture is therefore maintained optimally between a pH of about 6.6 to 6.8.

3. The production culture medium may be a modified form of the commercially available proprietary medium from JRH Biosciences called Excell PF CHO. This medium supports levels of secretion equivalent to that of serum using a cell line such as the 2.131 cell line. It may be preferably modified to include an acidic pH of about 6.7 (+/−0.1), and it may be buffered with HEPES at 7.5 mM. The medium may contain 0.05 to 0.1% of Pluronics F-68 (BASF), a non-ionic surfactant or an equivalent thereof which features the advantage of protecting cells from shear forces associated with sparging. The medium may further contain a proprietary supplement that proves to be important in increasing the productivity of the medium over other protein-free mediums that are presently available. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the choice of culture medium may be optimized continually according to particular commercial embodiments available at particular points in time. Such changes encompass no more than routine experimentation and are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

4. The production medium may be analyzed using an amino acid analyzer comparing spent medium with starting medium. Such analyses have demonstrated that the 2.131 cell line depletes a standard PF CHO medium of glycine, glutamate and aspartate to a level of around 10% of the starting concentration. Supplementation of these amino acids to higher levels may result in enhanced culture density and productivity that may lead to a 2–3 fold higher production than at baseline. Skilled artisans will appreciate that other cell lines within the scope of the present invention may be equally useful for producing α-L-iduronidase according to the present method. Hence, more or less supplemental nutrients may be required to optimize the medium. Such optimizations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention and may be practiced without undue experimentation.

5. The medium may be supplemented with ribonucleosides and deoxyribonucleosides to support the dihydrofolate reductase deficient cell line 2.131. Skilled artisans will appreciate that other cell lines within the scope of the present invention may be equally useful for producing α-L-iduronidase according to the present method. Hence, more or less ribonucleosides and deoxyribonucleosides may be required to optimize the medium. Such optimizations are intended within the scope of the present invention and may be practiced without undue experimentation.

6. After reaching confluence at about 3–4 days of culture, approximately ⅔ of the medium may be changed out approximately every 12 hours. The change out of medium may be accomplished using, for instance, a Bellco perfusion wand which is a stirring device with a hollow center and screen filter at its tip. By pumping out medium through the hollow interior of the wand through the 40 micron screen. The microcarriers with the 2.131 cell mass are separated from supernatant containing the enzyme.

7. The rapid and frequent turnover of the medium has been shown by productivity studies to result in improved overall collection of enzyme from the cell culture. Less frequent changes result in less total accumulation of enzyme. Studies of the secretion rate of the enzyme during a 12 hour culture cycle demonstrate that the cells are actively secreting enzyme for the majority of the culture period. More frequent changes are unlikely to yield substantially more enzyme. The method of this embodiment has proven to be superior to perfusion culture and far superior to strict batch culture or daily or every other day batch/feed strategies. Using the every approximately 12 hour change, the cells may be maintained in excellent condition with high degrees of viability and a high level of productivity.

8. Production of α-L-iduronidase may be enhanced by the use of sodium butyrate induction of gene expression. Systematic studies of a 2.131 cell line demonstrated that about 2 mM butyrate can be applied and result in about a two-fold or greater induction of enzyme production with minimal effects on carbohydrate processing. Lower levels of butyrate have not been shown to induce as well, and substantially higher levels may result in higher induction but declining affinity of the produced enzyme for cells from patients suffering from α-L-iduronidase deficiency. The results suggest that two-fold or greater induction results in less processing of the carbohydrates and less phosphate addition to the enzyme as well as increasing toxicity. One particularly preferred method uses 2 mM butyrate addition every 48 hours to the culture system. This embodiment results in about a two-fold induction of enzyme production using this method without significant effect on the uptake affinity of the enzyme, (K-uptake of less than 30 U/ml or 2.0 mM). Using embodiments of the present method featuring all of the above modifications and induction, a 15 liter culture system may produce approximately 25 mg per liter of culture per day, or more at peak culturing density.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a transfected cell line which possesses the unique ability to produce α-L-iduronidase in amounts which enable using the enzyme therapeutically. In preferred embodiments, the present invention features a recombinant Chinese hamster ovary cell line such as the 2.131 cell line that stably and reliably produces amounts of α-L-iduronidase. In preferred embodiments, the cell line may contain at least about 10 copies of an expression construct comprising a CMV promoter, a Ca intron, a human α-L-iduronidase cDNA, and a bovine growth hormone polyadenylation sequence. In even more preferred embodiments, the cell line expresses α-L-iduronidase at amounts of at least about 20–40 micrograms per 10⁷ cells per day in a properly processed, high uptake form appropriate for enzyme replacement therapy. According, to preferred embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the transfected cell line adapted to produce α-L-iduronidase in amounts which enable using the enzyme therapeutically possesses one or more of the following features:

1. The cell line of preferred embodiments is derived from a parent cell line wherein the cells are passaged in culture until they have acquired a smaller size and more rapid growth rate and until they readily attach to substrates.

2. The cell line of preferred embodiments is transfected with an expression vector containing the cytomegalovirus promoter/enhancer element, a 5′ intron consisting of the murine Ca intron between exons 2 and 3, a human cDNA of about 2.2 kb in length, and a 3′ bovine growth hormone polyadenylation site. This expression vector may be transfected at, for example, a 50 to 1 ratio with any appropriate common selection vector such as pSV2NEO. The selection vector pSV2NEO in turn confers G418 resistance on successfully transfected cells. In particularly preferred embodiments, a ratio of about 50 to 1 is used since this ratio enhances the acquisition of multiple copy number inserts. According to one embodiment wherein the Chinese hamster ovary cell line 2.131 is provided, there are approximately 10 copies of the expression vector for α-L-iduronidase. Such a cell line has demonstrated the ability to produce large quantities of human α-L-iduronidase (minimum 20 micrograms per 10 million cells per day). Particularly preferred embodiments such as the 2.131 cell line possess the ability to produce properly processed enzyme that contains N-linked oligosaccharides containing high mannose chains modified with phosphate at the 6 position in sufficient quantity to produce an enzyme with high affinity (K-uptake of less than 3 nM).

3. The enzyme produced from the cell lines of the present invention such as a Chinese hamster ovary cell line 2.131 is rapidly assimilated into cells, eliminates glycosaminoglycan storage and has a half-life of about 5 days in cells from patients suffering from α-L-iduronidase deficiency.

4. The cell line of preferred embodiments such as a 2.131 cell line adapts to large scale culture and stably produces human α-L-iduronidase under these conditions. The cells of preferred embodiments are able to grow and secrete α-L-iduronidase at the acid pH of about 6.6 to 6.8 at which enhanced accumulation of α-L-iduronidase can occur.

5. Particularly preferred embodiments of the cell line according to the invention, such as a 2.131 cell line are able to secrete human α-L-iduronidase at levels exceeding 2,000 units per ml (8 micrograms per ml) twice per day using a specially formulated protein-free medium.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides novel vectors suitable to produce α-L-iduronidase in amounts which enable using the enzyme therapeutically. The production of adequate quantities of recombinant α-L-iduronidase is a critical prerequisite for studies on the structure of the enzyme as well as for enzyme replacement therapy. The cell lines according to the present invention permit the production of significant quantities of recombinant α-L-iduronidase that is appropriately processed for uptake. Overexpression in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells has been described for three other lysosomal enzymes, α-galactosidase (Ioannou et al., J. Cell. Biol. 119:1137–1150 (1992)), iduronate 2-sulfatase (Bielicki et al., Biochem. J. 289: 241–246 (1993)), and N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfatase (Amson et al., Biochem. J. 284:789–794 (1992)), using, a variety of promoters and, in one case, amplification. The present invention features a dihydrofolate reductase-deficient CHO cell line, but according to preferred embodiments of the invention amplification is unnecessary. Additionally, the present invention provides a high level of expression of the human α-L-iduronidase using the CMV immediate early gene promoter/enhancer.

The present invention features in preferred embodiments an expression vector comprising a cytomegalovirus promoter/enhancer element, a 5′ intron consisting of the murine Ca intron derived from the murine long chain immunoglobulin Cα gene between exons 2 and 3, a human cDNA of about 2.2 kb in length, and a 3′ bovine growth hormone polyadenylation site. This expression vector may be transfected at, for example, a 50 to 1 ratio with any appropriate common selection vector such as, for example, pSV2NEO. The selection vector such as pSV2NEO in turn confers G418 resistance on successfully transfected cells. In particularly preferred embodiments, a ratio of about 50 to 1 expression vector to selection vector is used since this ratio enhances the acquisition of multiple copy number inserts. According to one embodiment wherein the Chinese hamster ovary cell line 2.131 is provided, there are approximately 10 copies of the expression vector for α-L-iduronidase. Such an expression construct has demonstrated the ability to produce large quantities of human α-L-iduronidase (minimum 20 micrograms per 10 million cells per day) in a suitable cell line such as, for example, a Chinese hamster ovary cell line 2.131.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides novel α-L-iduronidase produced in accordance with the methods of the present invention and thereby present in amounts that enable using the enzyme therapeutically. The methods of the present invention produce a substantially pure α-L-iduronidase that is properly processed and in high uptake form appropriate for enzyme replacement therapy and that is effective in therapy in vivo.

The specific activity of the α-L-iduronidase according to the present invention is in excess of about 200,000 units per milligram protein. Preferably, it is in excess of about 240,000 units per milligram protein. The molecular weight of the full length α-L-iduronidase of the present invention is about 82,000 daltons comprising about 70,000 daltons of amino acids and 12,000 daltons of carbohydrates. The recombinant enzyme of the present invention is endocytosed even more efficiently than has been previously reported for a partially purified preparation of urinary enzyme. The recombinant enzyme according to the present invention is effective in reducing the accumulation of radioactive S-labeled GAG in α-L-iduronidase-deficient fibroblasts, indicating that it is transported to lysosomes, the site of GAG storage. The remarkably low concentration of α-L-iduronidase needed for such correction (half-maximal correction at 0.7 pM) may be very important for the success of enzyme replacement therapy.

The human cDNA of α-L-iduronidase predicts a protein of 653 amino acids and an expected molecular weight of 70,000 daltons after signal peptide cleavage. Amino acid sequencing reveals alanine 26 at the N-terminus giving an expected protein of 629 amino acids. Human recombinant α-L-iduronidase has a Histidine at position 8 of the mature protein. The predicted protein sequence comprises six potential N-linked oligosaccharide modification sites. All of these may be modified in the recombinant protein. The third and sixth sites have been demonstrated to contain one or more mannose 6-phosphate residues responsible for high affinity uptake into cells. The following peptide corresponds to Amino Acids 26–45 of Human Recombinant α-L-iduronidase with an N-terminus alanine and the following sequence:

ala-glu-ala-pro-his-leu-val-his-val-asp-ala-ala-arg-ala-leu-trp-pro-leu-arg-arg

The overexpression of the α-L-iduronidase of the present invention does not result in generalized secretion of other lysosomal enzymes that are dependent on mannose-6-P targeting. The secreted recombinant α-L-iduronidase is similar to normal secreted enzyme in many respects. Its molecular size, found in various determinations to be 77, 82, 84, and 89 kDa, is comparable to 87 kDa, found for urinary corrective factor (Barton et al., J. Biol. Chem. 246: 7773–7779 (1971)), and to 76 kDa and 82 kDa, found for enzyme secreted by cultured human fibroblasts (Myerowitz et al., J. Biol. Chem. 256: 3044–3048 (1991); Taylor et al., Biochem. J 274:263–268 (1991)). The differences within and between the studies are attributed to imprecision of the measurements. The pattern of intracellular processing of the recombinant enzyme-a slow decrease in molecular size and the eventual appearance of an additional band smaller by 9 kDa is the same as for the human fibroblast enzyme. This faster band arises by proteolytic cleavage of 80 N-terminal amino acids.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention features a novel method to purify α-L-iduronidase. In preferred embodiments, the present invention features a method to purify recombinant α-L-iduronidase that has been optimized to produce a rapid and efficient purification with validatible chromatography resins and easy load, wash and elute operation. The method of purifying α-L-iduronidase of the present invention involves a series of column chromatography steps which allow the high yield purification of enzyme from protein-free production medium.

According to a first embodiment, the cell mass is grown in about 10% serum containing medium followed by a switch to a modified protein-free production medium without any significant adaptation to produce a high specific activity starting material for purification. In a second embodiment, a concentration/diafiltration scheme is employed that allows for the removal of such exogenous materials as Pluronics F-68 from the crude bulk to prevent fouling of columns. In a third embodiment, a first column load is acidified to minimize the competitive inhibition effect of such compounds as uronic acids found in protein-free medium formulations. In a fourth embodiment, a heparin, phenyl and sizing column purification scheme is used to produce pure enzyme using automatable steps. In a fifth embodiment, the heparin and phenyl column steps are used to eliminate less desirable α-L-iduronidase that is nicked or degraded. In a sixth embodiment, an acid pH treatment step is used to inactivate potential viruses without harming the enzyme. In a seventh embodiment, a 3 step column chromatography process is followed. The first column involves an affinity chromatography step using Blue Sepharose 6 FF. The Blue eluate is then further purified by another affinity chromatography step using Cu⁺⁺ Chelating Sepharose FF. Finally hydrophobic interaction chromatography using Phenyl Sepharose High Performance (HP) is used.

Particularly preferred embodiments of the method for purifying α-L-iduronidase according to the present invention feature more than one or all of the optimizations according to the following particular embodiments. The purification method of the present invention may therefore provide a purified α-L-iduronidase having the characteristics described herein.

1. Concentration/diafiltration: Crude supernatant is processed with a hollow fiber concentrator (A/G Technologies, 30K cutoff) to reduce fluid volume by about 75% and is then diafiltrated with a heparin load buffer (10 mM NaPO₄, pH 5.3, NaCl 200 mM). The diafiltration is an important step that eliminates undesirable compounds such as Pluronics F-68 from the supernatant, a surfactant needed in many cell cultures of the present invention that can foul columns. The diafiltration may also partly remove competitor inhibitors that may prevent binding to the heparin column. These inhibitors may be found in PF—CHO medium and are believed to be uronic acids derived from a soybean hydrolysate present in this particular medium.

2. Heparin column: The load may be adjusted to a pH of about 5.0 before loading on Heparin Sepharose CL-6B. Other types of heparin columns such as a heparin FF (Pharmacia) have different linkages and do not bind α-L-iduronidase as efficiently. A lower pH neutralizes uronic acids to some extent which lessens their competitive effect. Without the diafiltration and pH adjustment, heparin columns cannot be run using PF—CHO medium without having substantial enzyme flowthrough. The column may be washed with a pH of about 5.3 buffer and then eluted in 0.6 M NaCl. The narrow range of binding and elution salt concentration leads to an efficient purification step and enzyme that is often greater than 90% pure after one step.

3. Phenyl column: A Phenyl-Sepharose BP (Pharmacia) may be used in the next step. The heparin eluate may be adjusted to about 1.5 M NaCl and loaded on the column. The choice of resin is important as is the salt concentration in ensuring that the enzyme binds completely (no flow through) and yet elutes easily and completely with about 0.15 M NaCl. The eluate obtained is nearly pure α-L-iduronidase.

4. A pH inactivation may be performed to provide a robust step for the removal of potential viruses. The phenyl pool is adjusted to a pH of about 3.3 using Citrate pH 3.0 and held at room temperature for about 4 hours. The enzyme may then be neutralized. Embodiments featuring this step have been shown to eliminate viruses at a minimum of about 5 log units. The step does not substantially inactivate or affect the enzyme activity.

5. The enzyme may then be concentrated and injected onto a Sephacryl S-200 column and the peak of enzyme collected.

Enzyme purified in this manner has been shown to contain mannose-6-phosphate residues of sufficient quantity at positions 3 and 6 of the N-linked sugars to give the enzyme uptake affinity of less than 30 units per ml (less than 2 nM) enzyme. The enzyme is substantially corrective for glycosamino glycan storage disorders and has a half-life inside cells of approximately 5 days.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention features novel methods of treating diseases caused all or in part by a deficiency in α-L-iduronidase. Recombinant α-L-iduronidase provides enzyme replacement therapy in a canine model of MPS 1. This canine model is deficient in α-L-iduronidase due to a genetic mutation and is similar to human MPS 1. Purified, properly processed α-L-iduronidase was administered intravenously to 11 dogs. In those dogs treated with weekly doses of 25,000 to 125,000 units per kg for 3, 6 or 13 months, the enzyme was taken up in a variety of tissues and decreased the lysosomal storage in many tissues. The long term treatment of the disease was associated with clinical improvement in demeanor, joint stiffness, coat and growth. Higher doses of therapy (125,000 units per kg per week) result in better efficacy and including normalization of urinary GAG excretion in addition to more rapid clinical improvement in demeanor, joint stiffness and coat.

Enzyme therapy at even small doses of 25,000 units (0.1 mg/kg/wk) resulted in significant enzyme distribution to some tissues and decreases in GAG storage. If continued for over 1 year, significant clinical effects of the therapy were evident in terms of activity, mobility, growth and overall health. The therapy at this dose did not improve other tissues that are important sites for disease in this entity such as cartilage and brain. Higher doses of 125,000 units (0.5 mg/kg) given 5 times over two weeks demonstrate that improved tissue penetration can be achieved, and a therapeutic effect at the tissue level was accomplished in as little as 2 weeks. Studies at this increased dose are ongoing in two dogs for six months to date. These MPS I dogs are showing significant clinical improvement and substantial decreases in urinary GAG excretion into the normal range. Other than an immune reaction controlled by altered administration techniques, the enzyme therapy has not shown significant clinical or biochemical toxicity. Enzyme therapy at this higher weekly dose is effective at improving, some clinical features of MPS I and decreasing storage without significant toxicity.

In a seventh aspect, the present invention features novel pharmaceutical compositions comprising human α-L-iduronidase useful for treating a deficiency in α-L-iduronidase. The recombinant enzyme may be administered in a number of ways such as parenteral, topical, intranasal, inhalation or oral administration. Another aspect of the invention is to provide for the administration of the enzyme by formulating it with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier which may be solid, semi-solid or liquid or an ingestable capsule. Examples of pharmaceutical compositions include tablets, drops such as nasal drops, compositions for topical application such as ointments, jellies, creams and suspensions, aerosols for inhalation, nasal spray, liposomes. Usually the recombinant enzyme comprises between 0.05 and 99% or between 0.5 and 99% by weight of the composition, for example, between 0.5 and 20% for compositions intended for injection and between 0.1 and 50% for compositions intended for oral administration.

To produce pharmaceutical compositions in this form of dosage units for oral application containing a therapeutic enzyme, the enzyme may be mixed with a solid, pulverulent carrier, for example lactose, saccharose, sorbitol, mannitol, a starch such as potato starch, corn starch, amylopectin, laminaria powder or citrus pulp powder, a cellulose derivative or gelatine and also may include lubricants such as magnesium or calcium stearate or a Carbowax or other polyethylene glycol waxes and compressed to form tablets or cores for dragees. If dragees are required, the cores may be coated for example with concentrated sugar solutions which may contain gum arabic, talc and/or titanium dioxide, or alternatively with a film forming agent dissolved in easily volatile organic solvents or mixtures of organic solvents. Dyestuffs can be added to these coatings, for example, to distinguish between different contents of active substance. For the composition of soft gelatine capsules consisting of gelatine and, for example, glycerol as a plasticizer, or similar closed capsules, the active substance may be admixed with a Carbowax® or a suitable oil as e.g., sesame oil, olive oil, or arachis oil. Hard gelatine capsules may contain granulates of the active substance with solid, pulverulent carriers such as lactose, saccharose, sorbitol, mannitol, starches such as potato starch, corn starch or amylopectin, cellulose derivatives or gelatine, and may also include magnesium stearate or stearic acid as lubricants.

Therapeutic enzymes of the subject invention may also be administered parenterally such as by subcutaneous, intramuscular or intravenous injection or by sustained release subcutaneous implant. In subcutaneous, intramuscular and intravenous injection, the therapeutic enzyme (the active ingredient) may be dissolved or dispersed in a liquid carrier vehicle. For parenteral administration, the active material may be suitably admixed with an acceptable vehicle, preferably of the vegetable oil variety such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil and the like. Other parenteral vehicles such as organic compositions using solketal, glycerol, formal, and aqueous parenteral formulations may also be used.

For parenteral application by injection, compositions may comprise an aqueous solution of a water soluble pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the active acids according to the invention, desirably in a concentration of 0.5–10%, and optionally also a stabilizing agent and/or buffer substances in aqueous solution. Dosage units of the solution may advantageously be enclosed in ampules.

When therapeutic enzymes are administered in the form of a subcutaneous implant, the compound is suspended or dissolved in a slowly dispersed material known to those skilled in the art, or administered in a device which slowly releases the active material through the use of a constant driving force such as an osmotic pump. In such cases, administration over an extended period of time is possible.

For topical application, the pharmaceutical compositions are suitably in the form of an ointment, gel, suspension, cream or the like. The amount of active substance may vary, for example, between 0.05–20% by weight of the active substance. Such pharmaceutical compositions for topical application may be prepared in known manner by mixing the active substance with known carrier materials such as isopropanol, glycerol, paraffin, stearyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, etc. The pharmaceutically acceptable carrier may also include a known chemical absorption promoter. Examples of absorption promoters are, e.g., dimethylacetamide (U.S. Pat. No. 3,472,931), trichloro ethanol or trifluoroethanol (U.S. Pat. No. 3,891,757), certain alcohols and mixtures thereof (British Patent No. 1,001,949). A carrier material for topical application to unbroken skin is also described in the British patent specification No. 1,464,975, which discloses a carrier material consisting of a solvent comprising 40–70% (v/v) isopropanol and 0–60% (v/v) glycerol, the balance, if any, being an inert constituent of a diluent not exceeding 40% of the total volume of solvent.

The dosage at which the therapeutic enzyme containing pharmaceutical compositions are administered may vary within a wide range and will depend on various factors such as, for example, the severity of the disease, the age of the patient, etc., and may have to be individually adjusted. As a possible range for the amount of therapeutic enzyme which may be administered per day be mentioned from about 0.1 mg to about 2000 mg or from about 1 mg to about 2000 mg.

The pharmaceutical compositions containing the therapeutic enzyme may suitably be formulated so that they provide doses within these ranges either as single dosage units or as multiple dosage units. In addition to containing a therapeutic enzyme (or therapeutic enzymes), the subject formulations may contain one or more substrates or cofactors for the reaction catalyzed by the therapeutic enzyme in the compositions. Therapeutic enzyme containing compositions may also contain more than one therapeutic enzyme.

The recombinant enzyme employed in the subject methods and compositions may also be administered by means of transforming patient cells with nucleic acids encoding the recombinant α-L-iduronidase. The nucleic acid sequence so encoding may be incorporated into a vector for transformation into cells of the subject to be treated. Preferred embodiments of such vectors are described herein. The vector may be designed so as to integrate into the chromosomes of the subject, e.g., retroviral vectors, or to replicate autonomously in the host cells. Vectors containing encoding α-L-iduronidase nucleotide sequences may be designed so as to provide for continuous or regulated expression of the enzyme. Additionally, the genetic vector encoding the enzyme may be designed so as to stably integrate into the cell genome or to only be present transiently. The general methodology of conventional genetic therapy may be applied to polynucleotide sequences encoding α-L-iduronidase. Reviews of conventional genetic therapy techniques can be found in Friedman, Science 244:1275–1281 (1989); Ledley, J. Inherit. Metab. Dis. 13:587–616 (1990); and Tososhev et al., Curr Opinions Biotech. 1:55–61 (1990).

A particularly preferred method of administering the recombinant enzyme is intravenously. A particularly preferred composition comprises recombinant α-L-iduronidase, normal saline, phosphate buffer to maintain the pH at about 5.8 and human albumin. These ingredients may be provided in the following amounts:

α-L-iduronidase 0.05–0.2 mg/mL or 12,500–50,000 units per mL Sodium chloride solution 150 mM in an IV bag, 50–250 cc total volume Sodium phosphate buffer 10–50 mM, pH 5.8 Human albumin 1 mg/mL

The invention having been described, the following examples arc offered to illustrate the subject invention by way of illustration, not by way of limitation.

EXAMPLE 1 Producing Recombinant Iduronidase

Standard techniques such as those described by Sambrook et al. (1987) “Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual”, 2^(nd) ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. may be used to clone cDNA encoding human α-L-iduronidase. The human α-L-iduronidase cDNA previously cloned was subcloned into PRCCMV (Invitrogen) as a HindIII-XbaI fragment from a bluescript KS subclone. An intron cassette derived from the murine immunoglobulin Cot intron between exons 2 and 3 was constructed using PCR amplification of bases 788–1372 (Tucker et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 78: 7684–7688 (1991) of clone pRIR14.5 (Kakkis et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 16:7796 (1988)). The cassette included 136 bp of the 3′ end of exon 2 and 242 bp of the 5′ end of exon 3, which would remain in the properly spliced cDNA. No ATG sequences are present in the coding, region of the intron cassette. The intron cassette was cloned into the HindIII site 5′ of the α-L-iduronidase cDNA. The neo gene was deleted by digestion with XhoI followed by recircularizing the vector to make pCMVhldu.

One vial of the master cell bank is thawed and placed in three T150 flasks in DME/F12 plus supplements plus 10% FBS and 500 1 lg/ml G418. After 3–4 days, the cells are passaged using trypsin-EDTA to 6 high capacity roller bottles in the same medium. The innoculum of 2×10⁹ cells is added to a wheaton microcarrier flask containing 60 grams of Cytodex 2 microcarriers, and DME/F12 plus supplements, 10% FBS and 500 11 g/ml of G418 at a final volume of 13 liters. The flask is stirred by a Bellco overhead drive with a Perfusion wand stirrer. The culture is monitored by temperature, DO and pH probes and controlled using the Wheaton mini-pilot plant control system with a PC interface (BioPro software). The parameters are controlled at the set points, 37° C., 80% air saturation, and pH 6.7, using a heating-blanket, oxygen sparger and base pump. The culture is incubated for 3–4 days at which time the culture is coming out of log phase growth at 1–3×10⁶ cells per ml. Thereafter, at 12 hour intervals, the medium is changed with PF—CHO medium (with custom modifications, JRH Biosciences). The first 2 collections are set aside as “washout”. The third collection is the beginning of the production run. Sodium butyrate at final 2 mM is added every 48 hours to induce an increase in iduronidase expression. Production continues with medium changes of 10 liters every 12 hours and the collections filtered through a 1 micron filter to eliminate free cells and debris. The culture is monitored for temperature, pH and DO on a continuous basis. Twice daily, the culture is sampled before the medium change and assayed for cell condition and microorganisms by phase contrast microscopy, glucose content using a portable glucometer, iduronidase activity using a fluorescent substrate assay. Cell mass is assayed several times during the run using a total cellular protein assay. By the middle of the run, cell mass reaches 10⁷ cells per ml. Collected production medium containing iduronidase is then concentrated five fold using an A/G Technology hollow fiber molecular filter with a 30,000 molecular weight cutoff. The concentrate is then diafiltrated with a minimum three fold volume of 0.2 M NaCl in 10 mM NaP0₄, pH 5.8 over a period of 8 hours. This step removes Pluronics F68 and uronic acids from the concentrate. These molecules can inhibit function of the Heparin column. The concentrate is adjusted to pH 5.0, filtered through 1.0 and 0.2 micron filters and then loaded on a Heparin-Sepharose CL-6B column. The column is washed with 10 column volumes of 0.2 M NaCl, 10 mM NaPO₄, pH 5.3), and the enzyme eluted with 0.6 MI, 10 mMNaPO₄, pH 5.8. The eluate is adjusted to 1.5 M NaCl, filtered through a 1 micron filter and loaded on a Phenyl-Sepharose HP column. The column is washed with 10 column volumes of 1.5 M NaCl, 10 mM NaPO₄, pH 5.8 and the enzyme eluted with 0.15 M NaCl, 10 mM NaPO₄, pH 5.8.

Viral inactivation is performed by acidifying the enzyme fraction to pH 3.3 using 1 M citric acid pH 2.9 and incubating the enzyme at pH 3.3 at room temperature for 4 hours and readjusting the pH to 5.8 using 1 M phosphate buffer. This step has been demonstrated to remove 5 logs or better of a retrovirus in spiking experiments. The inactivated enzyme is filtered through a 0.2 μ filter, concentrated on an A/G Technologies hollow fiber concentrator apparatus (30,000 molecular weight cutoff) and injected in cycles on a Sephacryl S200 gel filtration column and the peaks collected. The pooled peaks are filtered through a 0.2 μ filter, formulated to 0.1 M NaPO₄, pH 5.8 and vialed.

A set of studies may be performed to assess the quality, purity, potency of the enzyme. Results of an SDS-PAGE analysis of the eluate is provided in FIG. 2.

One recombinant human α-L-iduronidase obtained from this procedure demonstrates a potency of 100,000 units per milliliter and has a total protein concentration of 0.313 mg/ml.

EXAMPLE 2

Seed train: A vial of working cell bank (WCB) CHO cells 2.131 is partially thawed in a 37° C. water bath. The thawed cells are added to seven mL of fresh cell culture medium (DMEM/F12) containing thymidine (7.6 mg/L), hypoxanthine (13.6 mg/L), G418 (375 mg/mL) and fetal bovine serum (5%). The cells are collected by gentle centrifugation (400 r.p.m. for 5 minutes). The pelleted cells are resuspended in fresh DMEM/F12 medium substituted as described above and the cells are placed in a T-75 cm flask in 25 mL of the medium.

After 2 to 3 days of incubation at 37° C. and 5% carbon dioxide, the cells are placed in a T-225 flask with 50 mL of fresh medium. The next split of cells is into a 250 mL spinner (100 mL of cells and medium) and the agitator (spinner) is rotated at 50 r.p.m. The inoculum volume and cell number is increased by a series of incubations (cell density increases) and subculturing (cell volume increases). The subculturing is performed such that the final cell density is between 2.0 and 2.5 e⁵.

When the cells are cultured at 1 L volume (3 L spin flask), it is designed with both sparge and overlay gases and the gases are provided to the reactor using a standard aquarium pump, gas flow meters and the gases from the incubator internal atomosphere.

For bioreactors using the microporous microcarriers, the microcarriers are prepared as follows. The microcarriers are washed two times with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and then autoclaved in PBS. The microcarriers are washed two times with JRH 325 (modified) medium (medium formulation as described above). The microcarriers are combined with sufficient fetal bovine serum such that the bioreactor will be 5% fetal bovine serum final. Medium (JRH 325 modified) is added to the microcarrier/fetal bovine serum solution and the mixture is pumped into the bioreactor. The substitution of microporous microcarriers in the production reactor provides the cells with a greater surface area for attached cell growth.

The cells are added to the microcarriers, and the reactor is run for three days with pH and dissolved oxygen control. Perfusion of the reactor with production medium (JRH 325 modified) is started when the glucose concentration in the reactor is reduced to 1.0 to 1.5 gm/L. The perfusion rate is gradually increased retaining glucose levels between 0.5 and 1.5 gm/L.

For bioreactors using single, cell suspension the seed train is prepared as described above. Using a single cell suspension simplifies bioreactor preparation and inoculation. The bioreactor is inoculated with cells in DMEM/F12 medium (25% of reactor volume) and JRH 325 modified (25% of reactor volume). Medium equal to 50% of the working reactor volume is added over 48 hours. Perfusion (and harvest) is started when cell density reaches 1.0 e⁶ and the perfusion medium is the same as described above.

EXAMPLE 3

Recombinant iduronidase over-expressed in a Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell line, has been purified to near homogeneity following a 3 step column chromatography process. The first column involves an affinity chromatography step using Blue Sepharose 6 FF. The Blue eluate is then further purified by another affinity chromatography step using Cu⁺⁺ Chelating Sepharose FF. The final polish of the highly purified enzyme is achieved by hydrophobic interaction chromatography using Phenyl Sepharose High Performance (HP). The over-all yield ranges from 45 to 55 percent and the purity of the final product is >99%. The process is robust, reproducible, and scalable for large-scale manufacturing. The purified enzyme has been characterized with respect to its enzymatic activity using a fluorescence-based substrate, and its functional uptake by fibroblast cells. The enzyme has also been characterized for substrate specificity, carbohydrate profiles, and isoelectric focusing (IEF) profiles.

Outline of the Iduronidase Purification Process

Sample Manipulation and Chromatography Purification pH Adjustment/Filtration

The pH of filtered harvest fluid (HF) is adjusted to 5.3 with 1 M H₃PO₄ and then filtered through a 0.45 μ filter (Sartoclean, Sartorius).

Blue Sepharose FF Chromatography

This affinity chromatography step serves to capture iduronidase to reduce the volume and to purify iduronidase by approximately seven to ten fold.

Loading capacity: 4 mg/ml (total protein per ml of resin) Equilibration buffer: 10 mM NaPO₄, pH 5.3 Wash buffer: 400 mM NaCl, 10 mM NaPO₄, pH 5.3 Elution buffer: 0.8 M NaCl, 10 mM NaPO₄, pH 5.3 Regeneration buffer: 2 M NaCl, 10 mM NaPO₄, pH 5.3 Fold of purification: 7–10 Yield: 70–85% Cu⁺⁺ Chelating Sepharose FF Chromatography

The Cu⁺⁺Chelating affinity chromatography step is very effective for removing some contaminating CHO proteins. The inclusion of 10% glycerol in all the buffers seems to be crucial for the quantitative recovery of iduronidase.

Loading capacity: 2 mg/ml Equilibration buffer: 1 M NaCl, 25 mM NaAc, pH 6.0, 10% Glycerol Wash buffer: 1 M NaCl, 25 mM NaAc, pH 4.0, 10% Glycerol Elution buffer: 1 M NaCl, 25 mM NaAc, pH 3.7, 10% Glycerol Regeneration buffer: 1 M NaCl, 50 mM EDTA, pH 8.0 Fold of purification: 2–5 Yield: 80% Phenyl Sephrose HP Chromatography

Phenyl Sephrose is used as the last step to further purify the product as well as to reduce residual leached Cibacron blue dye and Cu⁺⁺ ion carried over from previous columns.

Loading capacity: 1 mg/ml Equilibration buffer: 2.M NaCl, 10 mM NaPO₄, pH 5.7 Wash buffer: 1.5 M NaCl, 10 mM NaPO₄, pH 5.7 Elution buffer: 0.7 M NaCl, 10 mM NaPO₄, pH 5.7 Regeneration buffer: 0 M NaCl, 10 mM NaPO₄, pH 5.7 Fold of purification: 1.5 Yield: 90% Ultrafiltration (UF)/Diafiltration (DF)/Final Formulation

The purified iduronidase is concentrated and diafiltered to a final concentration of 1 mg/ml in formulation buffer (150 mM NaCl, 100 mM NaPO₄, pH 5.8) using a TFF system (Sartocon Slice) from Sartorius. The enzyme is then sterilized by filtering through 0.2 micron CA filter and injected into sterile vials.

Characterization of Purified Iduronidase

Analysis of enzyme purity using SDS-PAGE stained with Coomassie Blue or Silver and Western blot analysis. Analysis of enzymatic activity using 4MU-sulfate as substrate. Analysis of functional uptake using fibroblast cell assay. Analysis of carbohydrates by FACE. Analysis of IEF profiles.

Test Procedure Specification Appearance Visual Clear, colorless Identity SDS PAGE/Western blot Reaction to Anti-Idu Purity SDS PAGE >99% Protein Concentration BCA/UV Activity Fluorescent assay Specific Activity Fluorescence/BCA or 125–130,000 units/mg UV Carbohydrate FACE pI IEF

EXAMPLE 4

Short-term intravenous administration of purified human recombinant α-L-iduronidase to 9 MPS I dogs and 6 MPS I cats has shown significant uptake of enzyme in a variety of tissues with an estimated 50% or more recovery in tissues 24 hours after a single dose. Although liver and spleen take up the largest amount of enzyme, and have the best pathologic improvement, improvements in pathology and glycosaminoglycan content has been observed in many, but not all tissues. In particular, the cartilage, brain and heart valve did not have significant improvement. Clinical improvement was observed in a single dog on long-term treatment for 13 months, but other studies have been limited to 6 months or less. All dogs, and most cats, that received recombinant human enzyme developed antibodies to the human product. The IgG antibodies are of the complement activating type (probable canine IgG equivalent). This phenomena is also observed in at least 13% of alglucerase-treated Gaucher patients. Proteinuria has been observed in one dog which may be related to immune complex disease. No other effects of the antibodies have been observed in the other treated animals. Specific toxicity was not observed and clinical laboratory studies (complete blood counts, electrolytes, BLJN/creatinine, liver enzymes, urinalysis) have been otherwise normal.

Enzyme therapy at even small doses of 25,000 units (0.1 mg/kg/wk) resulted in significant enzyme distribution to some tissues and decreases in GAG storage. If continued for over 1 year, significant clinical effects of the therapy were evident in terms of activity, mobility, growth and overall health. The therapy at this dose did not improve other tissues that are important sites for disease in this entity such as cartilage and brain. Higher doses of 125,000 units (0.5 mg/kg) given 5 times over two weeks demonstrate that improved tissue penetration can be achieved and a therapeutic effect at the tissue level was accomplished in as little as 2 weeks. Studies at this increased dose are ongoing in two dogs for six months to date. These MPS I dogs are showing significant clinical improvement and substantial decreases in urinary GAG excretion into the normal range. Other than an immune reaction controlled by altered administration techniques, the enzyme therapy has not shown significant clinical or biochemical toxicity. Enzyme therapy at this higher weekly dose is effective at improving, some clinical features of MPS I and decreasing storage without significant toxicity.

The results of these various studies in MPS I dogs and one study in MPS I cats shows that human recombinant α-L-iduronidase is safe. These same results also provide a significant rationale that this recombinant enzyme should be effective in treating α-L-iduronidase deficiency.

EXAMPLE 5

The human cDNA of α-L-iduronidase predicts a protein of 653 amino acids and an expected molecular weight of 70,000 daltons after signal peptide cleavage. Amino acid sequencing reveals alanine 26 at the N-terminus giving an expected protein of 629 amino acids. Human recombinant α-L-iduronidase has a Histidine at position 8 of the mature protein. The predicted protein sequence comprises six potential N-linked oligosaccharide modification sites. All of these sites are modified in the recombinant protein. The third and sixth sites have been demonstrated to contain one or more mannose 6-phosphate residues responsible for high affinity uptake into cells.

This peptide corresponds to Amino Acids 26–45 of Human Recombinant α-L-iduronidase with an N-terminus alanine and the following sequence (SEQ ID NO:3):

ala-glu-ala-pro-his-leu-val-his-val-asp-ala-ala-arg-ala-leu-trp-pro-leu-arg-arg

The recombinant enzyme has an apparent molecular weight of 82,000 daltons on SDS-PAGE due to carbohydrate modifications. Purified human recombinant α-L-iduronidase has been sequenced by the UCLA Protein Sequencing facility. It is preferred to administer the recombinant enzyme intravenously. Human recombinant α-L-iduronidase was supplied in 10 mL polypropylene vials at a concentration of 0.05–0.2 mg/ml (12,500–50,000 units per mL.). The final dosage form of the enzyme includes human recombinant α-L-iduronidase, normal saline, phosphate buffer at pH 5.8 and human albumin at 1 mg/ml. These are prepared in a bag of normal saline.

Component Composition α-L-iduronidase 0.05–0.2 mg/mL or 12,500–50,000 units per mL Sodium chloride solution 150 mM in an IV bag, 50–250 cc total volume Sodium phosphate buffer 10–50 mM, pH 5.8 Human albumin 1 mg/ml

Human patients manifesting a clinical phenotype of MPS-I disorder with an α-L-iduronidase level of less than 1% of normal in leukocytes and fibroblasts were included in the study. All patients manifested some clinical evidence of visceral and soft tissue accumulation of glycosaminoglycans with varying degrees of functional impairment. Efficacy was determined by measuring the percentage reduction in urinary GAG excretion over time. FIG. 3 reveals the urinary GAG levels in 16 MPS-I patients in relation to normal excretion values. There is a wide range of urine GAG values in untreated MPS-I patients. A greater than 50% reduction in excretion of undegraded GAGs following therapy with recombinant α-L-iduronidase is a valid means to measure an individual's response to therapy. FIG. 4 demonstrates leukocyte iduronidase activity before and after enzyme therapy in MPS I patients. The buccal iduronidase activity before and after enzyme therapy is depicted in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 demonstrates in three patients that a substantial shrinkage of liver and spleen together with significant clinical improvement in joint and soft tissue storage was associated with a greater than 65% reduction in undegraded GAG after only 8 weeks of treatment with recombinant enzyme. FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B demonstrates that there is substantial normalization of livers and spleens in patients treated with recombinant enzyme after only 12 weeks of therapy with recombinant enzyme. FIG. 8 demonstrates a precipitous drop in urinary GAG excretion over 22 weeks of therapy with recombinant enzyme in 11 patients. Clinical assessment of liver and spleen size has been the most widely accepted means for evaluating successful bone marrow transplant treatment in MPS-I patients (Hoogerbrugge et al., Lancet 345:1398 (1995)). Such measurements are highly correlated with a decreased visceral storage of GAGs in MPS-1 patients.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the presently preferred embodiments, it should be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims. 

1. A recombinant α-L-iduronidase enzyme with a purity of equal to or greater than 99%, wherein said recombinant α-L-iduronidase enzyme comprises: (a) the amino acid sequence of residues 26 to 653 of SEQ ID NO:2, or a biologically active fragment of SEQ ID NO:2 which retains α-L-iduronidase enzyme biological activity; and (b) one or more mannose-6-phosphate residues.
 2. The recombinant α-L-iduronidase enzyme of claim 1 with a specific activity greater than 200,000 units per milligram protein.
 3. The recombinant α-L-iduronidase enzyme of claim 2 with a specific activity greater than 240,000 units per milligram protein.
 4. The recombinant α-L-iduronidase enzyme of claim 1, wherein said recombinant α-L-iduronidase enzyme is a recombinant human α-L-iduronidase enzyme.
 5. A recombinant α-L-iduronidase enzyme with a purity of equal to or greater than 99%, wherein said recombinant α-L-iduronidase enzyme comprises (a) the amino acid sequence of residues 26 to 653 of SEQ ID NO:2, or a biologically active fragment of SEQ ID NO:2 which retains α-L-iduronidase enzyme biological activity; and (b) has a specific activity greater than 200,000 units per milligram protein.
 6. The recombinant α-L-iduronidase enzyme of claim 1 comprising a mannose-6-phosphate residue attached at position 3 and a mannose-6-phosphate residue attached at position
 6. 7. The recombinant α-L-iduronidase enzyme of claim 1, wherein said recombinant α-L-iduromdase enzyme has a half-life inside a cell of approximately 5 days.
 8. A formulation of a pharmaceutical composition comprising said recombinant α-L-iduronidase enzyme of claim 1 alone or in combination with a pharmaceutically suitable carrier.
 9. The formulation of claim 8 further comprising a sodium chloride solution, a buffer and human albumin.
 10. The formulation of claim 9 wherein said α-L-iduronidase enzyme is present at a concentration of about 0.05 to 0.20 mg/mL or about 12,500 to about 50,000 units per mL.
 11. The formulation of claim 10 wherein said human albumin is present at a concentration of at least about 1 mg/mL.
 12. The formulation of claim 11 wherein said buffer is a sodium phosphate buffer at a concentration of about 10–50 mM.
 13. The formulation of claim 12 wherein the pH of said sodium chloride solution is about 5.8.
 14. The formulation of claim 8 wherein administration of said formulation to a human patient results in the human patient exhibiting a greater than 50% reduction in the excretion of undegraded GAG, wherein said human patient manifests a clinical phenotype of MPS-I prior to said administration.
 15. The formulation of claim 14 wherein said reduction is greater than 65% following 8 weeks of treatment.
 16. The formulation of claim 8 wherein administration of said formulation to a human patient results in the human patient exhibiting an increase of leukocyte iduronidase activity to 5.86 units per mg protein, wherein said human patient manifests a clinical phenotype of MPS-I prior to said administration.
 17. The formulation of claim 8 wherein administration of said formulation to a human patient for 6 weeks results in a reduction in the size of the liver of the human patient, wherein said human patient manifests a clinical phenotype of MPS-I prior to said administration.
 18. The formulation of claim 8 wherein administration of said formulation to a human patient for 6 weeks results in a reduction in the size of the spleen of the human patient, wherein said human patient manifests a clinical phenotype of MPS-I prior to said administration.
 19. The recombinant α-L-iduronidase enzyme of claim 5 with a specific activity greater than 240,000 units per milligram protein.
 20. The recombinant α-L-iduronidase enzyme of claim 5, wherein said recombinant α-L-iduronidase enzyme is a recombinant human α-L-iduronidase enzyme.
 21. The recombinant α-L-iduronidase enzyme of claim 5 comprising a mannose-6-phosphate residue attached at position 3 and a mannose-6-phosphate residue attached at position
 6. 22. The recombinant α-L-iduronidase enzyme of claim 5, wherein said recombinant α-L-iduronidase enzyme has a half-life inside a cell of approximately 5 days.
 23. A formulation of a pharmaceutical composition comprising said recombinant α-L-iduronidase of claim 5 alone or in combination with a pharmaceutically suitable carrier.
 24. The formulation of claim 23 further comprising a sodium chloride solution, a buffer and human albumin.
 25. The formulation of claim 24 wherein said α-L-iduronidase enzyme is present at a concentration of about 0.05 to 0.20 mg/mL or about 12,500 to about 50,000 units per mL.
 26. The formulation of claim 25 wherein said human albumin is present at a concentration of at least about 1 mg/mL.
 27. The formulation of claim 26 wherein said buffer is a sodium phosphate buffer at a concentration of about 10–50 mM.
 28. The formulation of claim 27 wherein the pH of said sodium chloride solution is about 5.8.
 29. The formulation of claim 23 wherein administration of said formulation to a human patient results in the human patient exhibiting a greater than 50% reduction in the excretion of undegraded GAG, wherein said human patient manifests a clinical phenotype of MPS-I prior to said administration.
 30. The formulation of claim 29 wherein said reduction is greater than 65% following 8 weeks of treatment.
 31. The formulation of claim 23 wherein administration of said formulation to a human patient results in the human patient exhibiting an increase of leukocyte iduronidase activity to 5.86 units per mg protein, wherein said human patient manifests a clinical phenotype of MPS-I prior to said administration.
 32. The formulation of claim 23 wherein administration of said formulation to a human patient for 6 weeks results in a reduction in the size of the liver of the human patient, wherein said human patient manifests a clinical phenotype of MPS-I prior to said administration.
 33. The formulation of claim 23 wherein administration of said formulation to a human patient for 6 weeks results in a reduction in the size of the spleen of the human patient, wherein said human patient manifests a clinical phenotype of MPS-I prior to said administration. 